Table covering

ABSTRACT

A table covering is fabricated from a rectangular sheet of laminated, waterproof material for use outdoors. Each end of the sheet includes a cord securement system for attaching the sheet to a tabletop. The cord system is preferably a shock cord system that allows for independent adjustment of the attachment of the sheet to the tabletop. A length adjustment system allows for variable adjustment in the length of the table covering so that the table covering may be used with tabletops of different sizes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to table coverings such as tablecloths,and more particularly to table coverings especially suited for outdooruse.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Table coverings such as common tablecloths are used for manypurposes. These include decorative functions, as method for protectingthe surface of a table, and as a method for providing a clean surface onwhich food may be served and eaten. The latter use of table coverings isparticularly apt when the table is in an outdoor setting where the tableis more likely to be dirty or otherwise unappealing. In the outdoorsetting the table covering thus provides a clean and sanitary surfacefor outdoor dining on a table that may otherwise be dirty.

[0003] Outdoor events often call for table coverings. But since thecoverings are being used outdoors, it is of obvious advantage to have atable covering that is waterproof and easily cleaned. Furthermore, thetable covering must be secured to the table to prevent it from beingblown off or blown askew by the wind. Moreover, in many cases it may beundesirable to reach under an table that is located outdoors since thetable may be dirty and may have insects and spiders and the likeresiding beneath the tabletop There is a need, therefore, for a tablecovering suited to outdoor use that meets these needs and provides otheradvantages.

[0004] The present invention is a table covering that is particularlysuited to outdoor use but which may be used with any table in anylocation. The covering provides a flexible, wipeable, waterproof coverthat includes an integral attachment system for securing the covering tothe table without having to reach under the table. The method ofattaching the covering to a table utilizes an elastic cord with a hookon each end. Each hook is secured to a grommet on a side of the coveringand the shock cord extends through a grommet on one end of the sheet.The covering is secured to the table by pulling the center portion ofthe cord outwardly of the end grommet to apply tension to the shockcords, thus smoothing the table covering against the underlying table.The table covering is released from the tabletop by releasing one orboth shock cords. The covering is reversible, allowing for a colorchoice by providing different colors on each of the opposite surfaces.The table covering is fabricated from a material that will not teareasily or fray on the edges. The covering thus has no hem that mightotherwise collect dirt, but rather is made of material that allows adurable, attractive clean-cut edge. An attached utility pouch isincluded for placement of condiments, plates and the like. The utilitypouch is also reversible and easily accessible from either surface ofthe table covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objectsand advantages will be more readily apparent by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention when taken inconjunction with the following drawings:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a top view of a table covering according to the presentinvention showing in phantom lines the table boards of an underlyingtabletop.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a top view of the opposite side of the table coveringshown in FIG. 1, showing in phantom lines the table boards of anunderlying tabletop.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table cover according to thepresent invention as positioned on a tabletop shown by table boards inphantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A preferred embodiment of a table covering 10 according to thepresent invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. Although tablecovering 10 is particularly well suited for outdoor use, the tablecovering may be just as well be used indoors.

[0010] Table covering 10 is fabricated from a sheet 11 of material thatis generally rectangular in shape, having opposite side margins or edges12 a, 12 b and opposite end margins or edges 14 a and 14 b. The cornersof sheet 11 are shown slightly rounded, although they may be squared offas right angles if desired. A utility pouch 16, described in more detailbelow, is optionally attached to an end edge 14 a. The table covering issized to cover standard rectangular tables such as picnic tables and thelike. A standard picnic tabletop 18 is illustrated schematically in thefigures with phantom lines and includes plural table boards that arearranged side-by-side to define the tabletop 18.

[0011] Table covering 10 is connected to the underlying tabletop 18 bymeans of a dual shock cord system, one shock cord associated with eachend edge of the covering. Specifically, with reference to the end edge14 a, a shock cord 20 has a first end 22 connected to sheet 11 near sideedge 12 a. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, first end22 is attached to side edge 12 a at a grommet 24 through which end 22extends and is knotted. It will be appreciated nonetheless that the endof the shock cord may be attached to the side edge in any convenientmanner. Shock cord 20 is doubled over on itself and the doubled-oversection extends through a grommet 25 that defines an opening in sheet 11near end edge 14 a. A standard spring-loaded toggle 26 is inserted overthe doubled-over section of shock cord 20 and the second end of theshock cord is connected to a grommet 28 near the opposite side edge 12b. A knot 30 is preferably tied in the doubled-over section of shockcord extending beyond toggle 26 to prevent inadvertent removal of thetoggle from the cord (FIG. 3).

[0012] The opposite end 14 b of sheet 11 is fitted with a similar shockcord as that just described. However, this second shock cord isadjustable with respect to its position along side edges 12 a and 12 bto accommodate use of the table covering with different sized tables.Thus, referring to end edge 14 b, a shock cord 32 has a hook 34connected to the first end 36 of the cord. Hook 34 may be selectivelyconnected to sheet 11 near side edge 12 a at a selected grommet 38, 40.Grommets 38 and 40 are positioned along side edge 12 a to provide formultiple attachment points for hook 34, depending upon the size oftabletop 18. As described above with respect to shock cord 20, shockcord 32 is doubled over on itself and the doubled-over section extendsthrough a grommet 42 that defines an opening in sheet 11 near end edge14 b. A standard spring-loaded toggle 44 is inserted over thedoubled-over section of shock cord 32 outwardly of grommet 42 and thesecond end 46 of shock cord 32 is fitted with a hook 48 that isconnectable to a selected grommet 50 or 52 near the opposite side edge12 b. A knot 54 is preferably tied in the doubled-over section of shockcord extending beyond toggle 44 to prevent inadvertent removal of thetoggle from the cord (FIG. 3).

[0013] Shock cords 20 and 32 are preferably elastomeric and may be anyelastic cord such as bungee cords. Nonetheless, standard cord or ropethat is not elastic may be used in place of elastic shock cords.

[0014] As noted above, a utility pouch 16 is attached to end edge 14 a.Utility pouch 16 is optional, and a pouch may be attached to each endedge or along the side edges as desired. With reference to FIG. 1, pouch16 is preferably fabricated from a mesh material 60 that will both drainfluids and that will not collect debris. The bottom edge 62 of pouch 16is closed and gusseted to allow for expansion. The upper edge 64 extendsbeyond the marginal edge of end edge 14 a on both surfaces of the tablecovering and is attached to table covering 10 at plural attachmentpoints 66, for example by sewing. An outside edge of mesh material 60 isnot attached to the table covering material between attachment points66, thereby defining a top-down opening into the pouch. Binding tape 68covers the sewn edges of the pouch to provide a clean finish, and pluralpouches may be defined by sewing the mesh material at, for example,stitch lines 70 and 72. D-rings 74 are provided to facilitate attachmentof other equipment such as knives and the like to the table covering.

[0015] Sheet 11 is preferably fabricated from a durable, waterproof andeasily cleaned material that may have different colors on the oppositesurfaces. For instance, first surface 56 shown in FIG. 1 may be onecolor, and the opposite second surface 58 (which is shown in one cornerof the table covering shown in FIG. 1) may be a different color. Thetable covering may be reversed. That is, it may be turned over withoutaffecting the performance of the shock cords described above. Further,the material used to fabricate sheet 11 is preferably a material thatwill not fray along its edges and which is reinforced to preventtearing. This allows the marginal edges to be unhemmed, as hemming willtend to accumulate dirt. There are numerous materials commerciallyavailable that are appropriate for use with the present invention. Onesuch material is an internally reinforced polyethylene laminate that isresistant to tearing and punctures and withstands extended exposure toweather. Reef Industries, Inc. of Houston, Tex., sells this productunder the brand name Griffolyn™. There are many other laminates, fabricsand other materials that also work well to make sheet 11.

[0016] Table covering 10 is placed over and secured to a tabletop 18 asfollows. With reference to FIG. 3, and with hooks 34 and 48 detachedfrom any grommets, sheet 11 is laid over tabletop 18 such that sideedges 12 a, 12 b and end edges 14 a, 14 b extend beyond the marginaledges of tabletop 18. Shock cords 20 and 32 are positioned such thatthey extend beneath the lower surface of the tabletop, as shown. Hooks34 and 48 are then connected to a selected grommet that adjusts thelength of sheet 11 to the size most closely approximating the length ofthe tabletop. Stated otherwise, by varying the position at which thehooks 34 and 48 are connected along the side edges, the length of thetable covering—that is, the length of the surface covered—may beadjusted. In FIG. 3 hook 34 is connected to grommet 40 and hook 48 (notshown) is connected to grommet 52. To illustrate the adjustment feature,if tabletop 18 were longer than shown in FIG. 3, hook 34 may beconnected to grommet 38 and hook 48 may be connected to grommet 50 toadjust the length of the sheet 11.

[0017] With hooks 34 and 48 connected to the appropriate grommets asdescribed, the doubled-over section of cord extending outwardly throughopening 42 beyond toggle 44 is pulled outwardly, away from the tabletop,in the direction of arrow A. The cord may be pulled easily by graspingknot 54. As noted above, the shock cords are positioned below the lowersurface of the tabletop. Applying tension to the shock cord thus snugssheet 11 against the tabletop. With the shock cord pulled outwardly,toggle 44 is released and slid toward tabletop 18 along the shock corduntil it abuts or lays adjacent grommet 43. The toggle thus acts as astop to prevent retraction of the cord through the opening, and to thusmaintain the tension on the shock cord.

[0018] The identical procedure is repeated at the opposite end of thetable covering, except that since the first and second ends of the shockcord are fixed to their respective grommets in sheet 11, there is noneed to adjust these connections. The doubled-over section of cordextending outwardly beyond toggle 26 is pulled outwardly, away from thetabletop, in the direction of arrow B. The cord may be pulled bygrasping knot 30. This applies tension to the shock cord and thus snugssheet 11 to the tabletop. With the shock cord pulled outwardly, toggle26 is released and slid toward tabletop 18 along the shock cord until itabuts or lays adjacent grommet 25, again to act as a stop to preventretraction of the shock cord through the opening and thus maintain thedesired tension on the cord.

[0019] The shock cords at either end of sheet 11 may then be alternatelyloosened and/or tightened to adjust the table covering and to secure andsmooth it to the tabletop. When attached to the tabletop 18 in thismanner sheet 11 provides a smooth and easily cleaned surface. The secureattachment provided by the shock cords prevents the table covering frombeing blown off or askew by the wind. The table covering may be removedfrom the tabletop by releasing one or both of the toggles to releasetension on the shock cords.

[0020] When attached to a tabletop as described above, utility pouch 16hangs downwardly from end 14 a as illustrated in FIG. 3. Utility pouch16 may be used to store a wide various items such as plates, utensils,napkins, condiments, maps and literature to name a few. Other items maybe connected to D-rings 74 as desired.

[0021] While the present invention has been described in terms of apreferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skillthat the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to thoseembodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents asdefined in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A table covering, comprising: a sheet of material havingopposed side edges and opposed end edges; a first cord having a firstend connected to one side edge, a second end connected to the oppositeside edge, and a middle portion between said first and second endsextending through an opening at a first end edge of said sheet material;a first stop adjustably connected to said first cord outwardly of saidopening at said first end edge; a second cord having a first endreleasably connected to one side edge for adjustable positioning of theconnection along said one side edge, a second end releasably connectedto the opposite side edge for adjustable positioning of the connectionalong said opposite side edge, and a middle portion between said firstand second ends extending through an opening at the second end edge ofsaid sheet; and a second stop adjustably connected to said second cordoutwardly of said opening at said second end edge.
 2. The table coveringof claim 1 wherein said sheet has a length and the length of said sheetmay be varied by selective positioning of the connection of said firstand second ends of said second cords along said respective one side andopposite side.
 3. The table covering of claim 1 wherein said first cordmay be extended outwardly from said opening to apply tension to saidfirst cord.
 4. The table covering of claim 3 wherein the position ofsaid first stop on said first cord may be adjusted to prevent retractionof said first cord when said first cord has been extended outwardly fromsaid opening.
 5. The table covering of claim 3 wherein said second cordmay be extended outwardly from said opening to apply tension to saidsecond cord.
 6. The table covering of claim 5 wherein the position ofsaid second stop along said second cord may be adjusted to preventretraction of said second cord when said second cord has been extendedoutwardly from said opening.
 7. The table covering of claim 1 whereinsaid sheet is a waterproof material.
 8. The table covering of claim 7wherein said sheet is a multi-layer reinforced laminate.
 9. The tablecovering of claim 1 including at least one pocket connected to one ofsaid edges.
 10. The table covering of claim 2 wherein adjustment of saidlength of said table covering allows said table covering to fit tabletops having different lengths.
 11. Table covering, comprising: agenerally rectangular sheet of material sized to cover a tabletop havingopposed side edges and opposed end edges, said sheet having opposed sideedges and opposed end edges that respectively extend beyond said tabletop side edges and end edges when said sheet is laid on said tabletop;first means for adjustably securing a first end edge of said sheet toone of said tabletop end edges; separate second means for adjustablysecuring the opposite end edge of said sheet to said tabletop, saidseparate means including means for changing the length of the sheet sothat said sheet may be used to cover tabletops of different lengths. 12.Table covering of claim 11 wherein said first means comprises a firstcord having a first end connected to one side edge, a second endconnected to the opposite side edge, and a middle portion between saidfirst and second ends extending through an opening at a first end edgeof said sheet material; a first stop adjustably connected to said firstcord outwardly of said opening at said first end edge.
 13. Tablecovering of claim 11 wherein said second means comprises a second cordhaving a first end releasably connected to one side edge for adjustablepositioning of the connection along said one side edge, a second endreleasably connected to the opposite side edge for adjustablepositioning of the connection along said opposite side edge, and amiddle portion between said first and second ends extending through anopening at the second end edge of said sheet; and a second stopadjustably connected to said second cord outwardly of said opening atsaid second end edge.
 14. The table covering of claim 11 wherein thelength of said sheet may be varied by selective positioning of theconnection of said first and second ends of said second cords along saidrespective one side and opposite side.
 15. The table covering of claim12 wherein said first cord may be extended outwardly from said openingto apply tension to said first cord.
 16. The table covering of claim 15wherein the position of said first stop on said first cord may beadjusted to prevent retraction of said first cord when said first cordhas been extended outwardly from said opening.
 17. The table covering ofclaim 13 wherein said second cord may be extended outwardly from saidopening to apply tension to said second cord.
 18. The table covering ofclaim 17 wherein the position of said second stop along said second cordmay be adjusted to prevent retraction of said second cord when saidsecond cord has been extended outwardly from said opening.
 19. The tablecovering of claim 11 wherein said sheet is a waterproof material. 20.The table covering of claim 19 wherein said sheet is a multi-layerreinforced laminate.